Strike up Ashland's City Band

When does Ashland City Band's concerts in Lithia Park begin? Is the first one on Thursday, June 20? I'm planning to take a group from Grants Pass to this event.

When does Ashland City Band's concerts in Lithia Park begin? Is the first one on Thursday, June 20? I'm planning to take a group from Grants Pass to this event.

— Terell B., via email

It's not summer in Southern Oregon until Ashland City Band's trumpets sound.

The 70-member band kicks off its highly anticipated concert series at 7 p.m. on — you guessed it —Thursday, June 20, at the Butler Band Shell in Lithia Park. Concerts will be held every Thursday through Aug. 15 except for July 4, when the band will play at 1 p.m.

"Ever since the band was established as a city band in the early '30s, they've performed every summer with the exception of a couple summers during World War II," said Don Bieghler, who has been director since 1998 and a member since 1963.

Terell, remind your friends to pack a picnic and arrive early to catch the "pre-concert," which begins at 6:15 p.m. This year's roster includes The Dixieland Band (June 20, July 25 and Aug. 8), The New Reeds (June 27), the Southern Oregon University Faculty Brass Quintet (July 11), The Rogue Tubas (July 18), The Jefferson State Brass Ensemble (Aug. 1) and The Slide Effects (Aug. 15). ACB always headlines.

"We'll have marches, Broadway show tunes, music from the big-band era, an occasional orchestra transcription, original band compositions (and) popular music," Bieghler said. "We will sometimes feature a soloist or an ensemble group, and we always close with a John Philip Sousa march."

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